Resorts in Las Vegas

Searching for a resort in Las Vegas is like searching for a tall building in Midtown Manhattan. Most hotels in Las Vegas do, in fact, refer to themselves as resorts. In many cases, these resorts are more accurately mega-resorts.

At WhyGo Las Vegas, we tend to interchange the words “hotel” and “resort,” but the properties we generally refer to as resorts are hotels that also offer additional amenities and services including on-site entertainment, nightlife, restaurants and spas.

Whatever you call them, there are plenty of oversized hotels to choose from in Las Vegas, and most of them have plenty to keep you more than busy when you visit Sin City.

Many resorts in Las Vegas often have specific themes: Treasure Island is fringed with pirates and lost booty, complete with a sunken ship show about the mythical sirens, which is held within view of Las Vegas Boulevard. Paris Las Vegas has a half-size replica of the Eiffel Tower and cobblestone streets that pass by shops serving up authentic Parisian pastries and gelato.

Many other resorts, though, such as the Las Vegas Hilton and Bally’s, simply try to pamper their guests without trying to transport them to another time and place.

Prices at Las Vegas resorts tend to reflect a combination of quality and location, but paying top dollar isn’t a guarantee of a perfect vacation. Always take the time to look for Las Vegas deals, which often make even the most expensive options affordable.

10 Largest Las Vegas Resort Hotels:

MGM Grand – With more than 5,500 rooms, the MGM Grand is the largest Las Vegas resort. There is no specific theme, but the pools, rivers and waterfalls in the outdoor area are quite memorable. There are nearly two dozen restaurants, a 17,000-seat arena, a convention center, a wedding chapel and several notable lounges and nightclubs.

Luxor – With just over 4,400 rooms, this Egyptian-themed resort complex is the second largest hotel in Las Vegas. The Luxor is packed with restaurants, adult-themed shows, a huge swimming pool, plentiful nightlife and exhibits unlike any others in Las Vegas.

Mandalay Bay – Together with THEhotel, there are more than 4,300 rooms in this luxurious resort at the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip. In addition to some of the finest dining experiences in Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay also has several large convention and entertainment venues as well as a shark reef and aquarium.

The Venetian – It’s big, beautiful and as close to Venice as you can get without actually being in Italy. The Venetian has more than 4,000 rooms as well as ample shopping, several shows, hopping nightlife and lots of restaurants with world-class chefs.

Excalibur – With just more than 4,000 rooms, this King Arthur-themed resort has a variety of restaurants as well as two pools, a spa and water slides out back. A family-friendly resort, the Excalibur also has a full arcade and lots of entertainment for the kids.

ARIA – One of the newest additions to the Las Vegas Strip, ARIA has 4,004 rooms (which include 568 suites). The resort also has three full-sized pools, more than a dozen restaurants and a massive two-level spa and full-service salon. ARIA has a LEED gold certification.

Bellagio – With nearly 4,000 rooms and suites, the Bellagio was inspired by Lake Como in Italy, but it’s primarily known for its general luxurious and sophisticated appeal. Most people are familiar with the famous Fountains of Bellagio, but the resort also has a highly acclaimed art gallery, several pools, high-end restaurants, bars, clubs and several shops.

Circus Circus – Not surprisingly, this 3,774-room resort has a circus theme and is one of the most family-friendly destinations in Las Vegas. It is also one of the oldest hotels remaining on the Las Vegas Strip. A wide variety of midway attractions are geared toward children, but there are also swimming pools and other assorted entertainment that parents will enjoy as well.

Planet Hollywood – Just short of 3,700 rooms, Planet Hollywood is in the ideal location on the Las Vegas Strip. In addition to being centrally located, this resort also has a happening nightlife scene, a handful of pools and plentiful shopping in the nearby Miracle Mile.

Flamingo Las Vegas – This iconic Las Vegas hotel has been around since 1946. With more than 3,500 remodeled room, the Flamingo continues to beckon visitors, who come for the cheap prices and stick around for the pools, health spa and restaurants.